PDA

View Full Version : Live Action Hulk Movie Has Release Date!



James Harvey
12-17-2001, 10:50 PM
Here is info from the press release:

Universal Pictures today announced the studio will release "The Hulk," the feature film based upon the classic Marvel Comics series, on June 20, 2003. Ang Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") is set to direct the film, from a screenplay by James Schamus. The film's producers are Gale Anne Hurd, Avi Arad, James Schamus and Larry Franco. Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee is the executive producer.

"'The Hulk' will be our big tent-pole movie for summer 2003, which will be supported with an unprecedented company-wide marketing effort, and the third weekend in June is the perfect release date for a major event title like this," said Nikki Rocco, president, Universal Pictures Distribution.

According to the studio's announcement, Ang Lee's concept for the film will combine all the elements of a blockbuster visual effects-intensive superhero movie with the brooding romance and tragedy of Universal's classic horror films -- for The Hulk is at once a superhero and a monster, a wish fulfillment and a nightmare. Lee and his team have gone back to the moving, early incarnations of the character created in May 1962 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, staying true to the subversive spirit of the early Marvel years, while completely updating and projecting "The Hulk" into the dangers and aspirations of contemporary times.

Eric Bana ("Chopper," "Black Hawk Down") stars as scientist Bruce Banner, whose inner demons transform him into The Hulk in the aftermath of a catastrophic experiment. Bana will play both the human Banner and -- through groundbreaking visual effects technology provided by the Oscar®-winning Industrial Light and Magic -- the superhuman Hulk. Jennifer Connelly ("Requiem For A Dream," "A Beautiful Mind") portrays Betty Ross, whose scientific genius unwittingly helps unleash The Hulk, and whose love for Banner finds its impossible resolution in the film's denouement.

Production on "The Hulk" is scheduled to start on March 18, 2002 at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

Failure
12-18-2001, 12:15 AM
Wow, I remember hearing some Hulk movie rumors a while back, but totally forgot about it. I was never a big fan of the Hulk, but it should be interesting to see how Ang Lee approaches the character.

Unfortunately, I wouldnt be surprised if the Hulk was a commercial flop.

Calhoun07
12-18-2001, 12:23 AM
Well, Hulk does have a good following, and who's to say it will be a flop based on the character? I bet Marvel never knew their Blade movie would have been so successful.

Naraht
12-18-2001, 12:28 AM
I have one thing to say...

HULK SMASH!

Failure
12-18-2001, 12:32 AM
But I think movie producers are starting to glutton the comic/movie market. At some point, one of these movies will flop and then anoher will flop, which will result in the decline of the comic-based movie trend we're seeing now. But with Ang's success with CTHD, I'd think a lot of critics will praise the Hulk, which should lead to pretty good success. So basically, I expect it to do pretty well, but at the same time, I wouldnt be surprised if it performed underwhelmingly, especially if the competition's tough then (maybe T3? Matrix 3?).

James Harvey
12-18-2001, 01:24 AM
There will be three comic book movies, so far, in 2003. We'll have X-MEN (in May), HULK (in June), and DAREDEVIL in the fall. Plus DC is working on getting some of their VERTIGO, ABC, and WILDSTORM comics into movie format as well. Not to mention SPAWN 2, which McFarlane also wants for 2003. Then there's all those other movies like MATRIX and TERMINATOR. It's gonna be a full year, and I think DAREDEVIL will be the casualty.

Samhaine
12-18-2001, 01:37 AM
Originally posted by Dick Grayson
It's gonna be a full year, and I think DAREDEVIL will be the casualty.
Maybe not, because it's got Affleck backing it, and people love their Affleck.

2003 is gonna be a great year for comics fans, though.

Calhoun07
12-18-2001, 11:39 AM
I think the Daredevil movie will kick booty! Is Kevin Smith also backing it? I know he wanted to be involved in any Daredevil movie that got made.

James
12-18-2001, 11:54 AM
Amazing... stays in production hell for over a decade and certainly within two months the project is rolling on at a mighty pace.

Glad about Connelly being it. I've enjoyed her performance in Labyrinth and Dark City. I think she'll be an asset.

Will it flop? Will depend on what it's up against when it comes out..

Oh and if it's crap.

Calhoun07
12-18-2001, 11:57 AM
Anything has got to be better than that live action TV show, really.

The Mad Hatter
12-18-2001, 08:19 PM
Woah, it's actually getting made? Cool! If done right, the Hulk can make for a great semi-horror yarn with good character and psychological elements (if done right).

And Jennifer Connelly... drool. I used to have a huge crush on her as a teenager...

joker
12-18-2001, 08:39 PM
ive been waiting for this. hulk was one of my childhood favorites and was untill marvel got really weird after the whole onslaut thing, then every thing was just to hard to fallow. but im glad its getting made, ill see it for sure.

Joe Tully
12-18-2001, 11:23 PM
Originally posted by The Mad Hatter
Woah, it's actually getting made? Cool! If done right, the Hulk can make for a great semi-horror yarn with good character and psychological elements (if done right)

And rumor is that it will be very psychological, Hatter! It's a little early to call this one either way, but I'll be keeping my eye on it.

TuffyCatt
12-19-2001, 03:46 PM
This should definitely be interesting. I hope they do a good job on it, or they may disappoint a lot of people. I know my dad will be one of the first people to see it, he loves Hulk.

Vin
12-19-2001, 03:58 PM
I'm excited about this movie. 2003 will be a very interesting year...

Frozen
12-20-2001, 03:34 AM
SJJ wrote:

Glad about Connelly being it. I've enjoyed her performance in Labyrinth and Dark City. I think she'll be an asset.


I too loved her in both Labyrinth and Dark City (definately one of my favourite films!) - the thing that impresses me the most about her is how a girl with so much facial hair has made a career in Hollywood... Don't believe me - take a REAL good look next time you see her, and man, she's getting a mighty 'tache as far as I can make out!!!

James Harvey
12-20-2001, 11:19 AM
Sam Elliot and Nick Nolte have been added to the cast. Sam Elliot will play General "Thunderbolt" Ross and Nick Nolte will play Banner's abusive father.

Calhoun07
12-20-2001, 11:38 AM
I don't recall Banner having a father in the comic books. Of course, I wasn't devoted to the series, just would pick it up for certain runs now and then.

Who's playing Betty?

James Harvey
12-20-2001, 12:53 PM
Jennifer Connelly (Labyrinth, Requim for a Dream) will be playing Betty Rose. In the comics, Banner's father died early on in childhood. I believe what happenes was Banner's father went off in a rage and Bruce tried to protect himself and homehow ended up killing his dad. I think he fell down a flight of stairs or something to that degree. I'm assuming in the movie, Nolte will only be in flashbacks or Ang Lee will make a few changes.

Jowy Blight
12-20-2001, 08:36 PM
Sounds good, we seem to have alot of good movies ready for 2003.

James Harvey
12-20-2001, 09:19 PM
Yeah, it looks like we may actually be getting some good movies for the next couple of years. The past couple of years, for movies, really hasn't been that swell. Hopefully we'll see some more good stuff.

Calhoun07
12-21-2001, 01:48 AM
Originally posted by Dick Grayson
Yeah, it looks like we may actually be getting some good movies for the next couple of years. The past couple of years, for movies, really hasn't been that swell. Hopefully we'll see some more good stuff.

I hope so. I remember thinking this past summer would have a lot of great movies but the ones we all had high hopes for failed to deliver. I hope that isn't the case in the future.